Police in Washington, D.C., say a special needs died this week after a reported assault at the teen's high school.

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According to WJLA, authorities say Joevon Patterson-Smith was struck multiple times in the face and head on Jan. 10 at Ballou High School.

The 17-year-old was reportedly cornered and attacked by several students because he would not give over his cell phone. He was also reportedly sprayed with "perfume."

Patterson-Smith's father said his son laid his head down in class and began spitting up blood when he returned home that day.

The next day the teen was taken to the hospital and his parents reported the assault to police.

Officers came to the hospital and took a statement from Patterson-Smith and the boy's brother, who was a witness. The teen has multiple learning disabilities but was verbal and responded to police questions.

Family members say Patterson-Smith was hospitalized with a blood clot in his head.

He returned home a week later, but was taken back to the hospital on Jan. 21 when he began suffering seizures. Over the weekend, Patterson-Smith was declared brain dead and died.

Police are not investigating the death as a homicide, pending information on cause of death from the medical examiner.

Family members told WUSA that Patterson-Smith was bullied and that they had reported these issues to the school before.